2 year shoes search completed....

Freckles

After asking you ladies about Birkenstocks a month ago, visiting my orthepedic surgeon and two specialty shoe stores I came home with shoes.

Unfortunately who knew they made shoes UGLIER THAN BIRKS!!! They only came in black and have those dreaded ankle straps.

Can't recommend Letellier Shoes enough though...amazing selection and SA.

So I am now on the quest for pants but honestly my straight leg gap ones I was thinking about will look awful with these I think.

What do you say, all critiques welcome.

This post has 5 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

13 years ago

Dressing

16 replies

Latest reply was from Freckles

Inge

(website)

Moderator

I say painfree feet and comfort trump everything! Congratulations on finally finding "the winners', Freckles. And I really don't think they are that bad. Before seeing the pics I expected super clunky and heavy, but that's not the case at all. I bet they'll look lovely under full-length bootcut pants, and bright painted toenails will add a cheerful touch;-)

13 years ago

Veteran

I don't think they're so bad, myself. But then, I think a lot of fashionable shoes are hideous, so my judgment is probably not to be trusted...

Seriously, they're kind of cute and laid-back. If cute doesn't fit your personality, it could be a bit difficult for you. But try to make lemonade with your lemon. I have a foot that is wildly difficult to fit and my winter boots are men's hiking boots. :o( I kid you not. So I made a virtue out of necessity, and added a little more edginess to my winter style. What can you do?

13 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

LOL. You have to embrace the ugliness and then it will become apparent they're hip. Those are hipster sandals if I ever saw a pair. Your straight leg pants may actually be just thing, along with a slim fit top. With a screen-print owl on it. And upcycled jewelry.

No, don't be mean to me! I'm serious!

13 years ago

Anonymous

As I read your post, I was expecting to see really ugly shoes in your piccies. BUT THEY AREN'T UGLY!!! Gosh, I've seen far worse footwear than that on young (trendy!) girls on the streets of Paris!

They also look very comfortable, and I LOVE your toe-nails. Really trendy, and a super Summer colour. You clearly have STYLE, so I am sure your sandals will look great with your pants. You know what is TRULY ugly?? The pain lines etched on the face, and dreadful slouch of an otherwise pretty woman who can hardly bear to take another step in her 7-inch Louboutin stilettos! At least, you'll be able to wear the smile of a girl whose feet are comfortable. And at the end of the day, that'll be far more attractive. (And think of all those pain-induced wrinkles you won't have on your face! You'll be able to buy a whole new wardrobe of clothes with the money saved on anti-wrinkle potions!)

13 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Well perhaps I have poison eye against them as I was looking for cute.

Inge the bootcuts sound good. I realize the ones now adays are much slimmer throughout and so therefore don't look like the ones years ago. I will give them a shot.

JR such good advice. I was hoping to get the cute shoes first and then build the rest of the wardrobe as the shoes seem to really either make it or break it. Will see what I can do with these and here's hoping for fall shoes. I live a really relaxed lifestyle so maybe these will go better than I thought.

Rachylou you make me smile. How on earth did you know I have a real thing for owls? How long would the hemn be in straight leg pants?

Merci La Francaise. It's funny because I was trying to talk myself into a pair of cuter shoes and the SA said NO NO NO! Do you have any idea how your stride and posture change in these?!

The blue toenails are a new thing that I quite like. I'm usually a pale pink woman. Ds's reaction was totally awesome Mom while dh was...blue toenails dear, do we need a holiday?

13 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

This brings back memories of my childhood shoe shopping in which I was declared flat-footed and allowed each fall to choose from Ugly or Uglier for my shoes while other girls got to pick from cute cuter and cutest. Maybe this is why I have wayyyyy too many pairs now. I think these are cuter than Birks. I think if they contribute to your foot health they are important and if comfortable no brainer. I agree your feet are cute and the pedi is awesome so they don't look like medically necessary shoes in any way. You can style them and wear with attitude and no worries at all.

13 years ago

Victoria

(website)

Veteran

I feel you, Freckles. I have numerous foot issues and can't wear most "normal" shoes. Usually I end up with open sandals that have lot of support and I am realizing that one of the reason's why I always wear pants is because I can't wear those cute heels that other women wear with skirts. Ugh..Having said that, I don't think these are ugly and I am sure will look fine with some boot cut pants or jeans(which is what I end up wearing most of the time). I wouldn't advocate wearing these with straight leg pants, I don't think it would look good.

13 years ago

ManidipaM

Veteran

Huh. I'd wear them any day of the week myself! They look pretty Euro-chic to me actually --- I wonder if you could get similar support in clog styles for colder weather too?

But then I like my shoes to have a more supportive feel and actively seek out chunkier heels and footbeds with edges that 'hold my feet in'.

I can see this working with a edgy asymmetrical skirt or a straight shift dress as well as pants, leggings, clams, capris, shorts...

13 years ago

kellygirl

Veteran

I agree with Mandipa. They do have a Euro vibe. I was expecting hideous but I quite like them--especially with your lovely pedicured toes! Congrats on finding your sandals.

13 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Hooray for finding shoes that work for you! And honestly, they really are not all that bad. How about with clams?

13 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I was thinking a European vibe, too. Lady of a certain age wearing Eileen Fisher or Sigrid Olsen comes to mind. They can definitely work!

13 years ago

ironkurtin

Veteran

I would totally wear those. Think of them as a graphic touch - no, they're not "cute," but they're interesting.

And augh, Rhubarb, I am hardly "of a certain age" and I wear Eileen Fisher all the time!

13 years ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Congratulations on finding shoes you can wear--and that look pretty darned stylish at that! I agree, these are much prettier than most Birkenstocks I've seen. I can see them with Eileen Fisher clothes as others mentioned, or Bryn Walker, or one of my current favorite inspirations--Babette SF. They could go boho-chic, too. Any clothing that has a little artsiness about it can play up the intentional-style vibe that your sassy blue toenails are lending to the sandals right now. (I love that blue!) I laughed at your report of what your dh said.

13 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Thanks Jj, I'll work on finding that attitude.

Thanks for the critique Victoria. Pants shopping will become more interesting as now I'll be looking at an unfamiliar silhouette.

Mandipa you shock me, Euro Chic...heavens! I do have clogs for the colder months but really need something with a heel for the colder weather. Unfortunately my absolutely favourite clogs were bought from West Germany, yes that old, and lost track of the company with the country's amalgamation.
These are really quite chunky. The sole is flat it just has a bit of a cutout in the side. Very stable. The cork/latex footbed is similar to a Birk but not quite as deep. (Naot Murcia). It can also be flipped out and replaced with relative ease.
You've suggested quite a few more wardrobe options than I ever considered. Mind shift here, try it all on and see. Bring out a bit of edge or boho maybe...

Kelly apparently I'll have to investigate this Europe vibe. Never even considered that for myself.

Sarah thanks, I'll have to investigate those clams too. The ones I tried on earlier were basically mom jean clams. Thanks to all the lovely ladies here I think I have a better idea what to look for.

Oh Laura don't mention Eileen Fisher please, I have been looking the past six months but never gone down to Holts to really see as that would be so dangerous. Those asymmetrical tops of Deborah's have been calling to me and that may just have a similar vibe without the price tag.

LOL Ironkurtin, I think Laura was referring to me as the lady of a certain age (which I am and take great joy in) but was suggesting Eileen Fisher for me not that the style meant one was of this age. Graphic touch it is, another interesting idea, thanks.

13 years ago

Scarlet

Veteran

Exactly what Inge said. LOL about DH and the blue.

13 years ago

Freckles

Veteran

Firecracker I'm going to have to check out those labels! I guess all the things I loved about style have not totally gone out the window with age, weight gain and slumping around the house.

Thanks Scarlet. I actually went out to the farmers market today with them on.

Thanks to the ladies here my attitude about them has been modified. So Comfy!!!

13 years ago

Category